Two for one: a self-management plan coupled with a prescription sheet for children with asthma.
BACKGROUND
Despite strong recommendations in the asthma guidelines, the use of written self-management plans remains low among asthmatic patients.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a written self-management plan, based on scientific evidence and expert opinions, in a format intended to facilitate its dispensing by health care professionals, and to test the perception of its relevance and clarity by asthmatic children, adolescents and adults.


METHODS
Inspired by previously tested self-management plans, surveys of asthma educators, expert opinions and the 2004 Canadian Asthma Guidelines, the authors simultaneously developed French and English versions of a written self-management plan that coupled with a prescription. The self-management plan was tested in parents and their asthmatic children (aged one to 17 years), and it was revised until 85% clarity and perceived relevance was achieved.


RESULTS
Ninety-seven children and their parents were interviewed. Twenty per cent had a self-management plan. On the final revision, nearly all items were clear and perceived relevant by 85% or more of the interviewees. Two self-management plans were designed for clinics and acute care settings, respectively. The plans are divided into three control zones identified by symptoms with optional peak flow values and symbolized by traffic light colours. They are designed in triplicate format with a prescription slip, a medical chart copy and a patient copy.


CONCLUSIONS
The written self-management plans, based on available scientific evidence and expert opinions, are clear and perceived to be relevant by children, adolescents and their parents. By incorporating the prescription and chart copies, they were designed to facilitate dispensing by physicians in both clinics and acute care settings.
Ducharme
Francine M
FM
Clinical Research on Chilhood Asthma,University of Montreal, Canada. francine.m.ducharme@umontreal.ca
Noya
Francisco
F
McGillivray
David
D
Resendes
Sandy
S
Ducharme-Bénard
Stéphanie
S
Zemek
Roger
R
Bhogal
Sanjit Kaur
SK
Rouleau
Rachel
R
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D054539:Medication Therapy Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011792:Quebec; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*
D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents